HMHSE - 5

That day, Changsun Xin met with the governor of Youzhou and had a lengthy discussion, returning late at night. He was completely unaware of what had transpired at the post station.

It wasn’t until early the next morning, shortly after he rose, that the postmaster came to his guest room to report the newly issued ban.

Changsun Xin was in the middle of drinking tea. Before he could finish listening, he set down his teacup and walked out: “You said they’ve sealed off the mountain?”

The postmaster replied respectfully: “Exactly, it’s an order from the military compound.”

Half of Changsun Xin’s refined and scholarly face darkened: “Who came from their side?”

The postmaster’s voice lowered, and he appeared somewhat fearful: “It’s our Youzhou militia commander.”

Changsun Xin smacked his forehead. Such a significant matter, and no one had informed him!

He bypassed the postmaster and went to find Shen Rong, muttering as he walked: That Shan fellow must have done this on purpose, choosing to appear while he was away!

Shen Rong had risen very early that day.

A specially made thick-patterned brocade bag lay on the table. Zirui carefully removed the scroll from the rosewood box and placed it into the brocade bag, presenting it to her with both hands.

She accepted it and tucked it into her bosom, pulling on a newly donned aqua brocade cloak before stepping outside.

Donglai stood straight and lean outside the door, fully dressed in his guard attire.

Seeing that the wound near his eye had scabbed over and the swelling had subsided, Shen Rong asked: “Are your injuries healed?”

He bowed his head: “After a few days of rest, there’s no major issue, Young Master. Please rest assured.”

As they spoke, Changsun Xin arrived in a hurry.

Seeing him like this didn’t surprise Shen Rong: “I assume Brother has already learned about the ban.”

Changsun Xin had intended to ask her what the Shan fellow had done after arriving, but upon observing her appearance, he guessed her intentions: “You’re going to personally explore the land?”

Shen Rong pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, recalling how Shan Zong had left her presence the previous day, and lightly laughed: “Yes, I want to see who can stop me. Besides, didn’t you say that the highest-ranking official here is the governor?”

Changsun Xin immediately understood her meaning.

She intended to break the ban by leveraging the governor’s authority.

He abandoned the idea of asking about Shan Zong and said nothing more. If the little ancestor was taking charge today, of course, he would accompany her to the end.

Before setting out, he specifically sent a guard to invite the governor of Youzhou.

...

Donglai led the way, and after leaving the city, the caravan sped northwest.

From the smooth and wide main road, they turned onto bumpy narrow paths where the view was no longer expansive, gradually revealing the outlines of mountains.

The peaks undulated, like a brushstroke of ink spreading across the horizon, seeping upward and connecting with the clouds.

After about half an hour, the caravan came to a halt.

Donglai dismounted and approached Shen Rong: “Young Master, we’ve arrived.”

Shen Rong lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.

The autumn wind rustled, the sun was high in the sky, and towering mountains surrounded them. They had reached the place she had pointed out on the map that day.

Changsun Xin rode his horse over: “Arong, this range of mountains is vast and rarely visited. Beyond these towering mountains lies the border.”

Shen Rong had noticed this when she saw the map earlier. She stepped down, supported by Zirui’s arm: “Let’s take a look.”

The mountain path was difficult to traverse; they could only ride horses or walk.

Shen Rong tightened her cloak, lifted her skirt, and led the way.

Donglai, fearing danger, repeatedly tried to move ahead, but often had to stop to find the path, and eventually, she still walked in front.

Shen Rong moved smoothly without stopping a single step. Unaware observers might think she had been here before.

Changsun Xin had long dismounted his horse and accompanied her on either side. In the end, everyone followed her lead.

Descending the mountain path, they encountered a shallow stream.

Shen Rong glanced at the surrounding mountains and then at the flowing water. Turning her gaze northward, her eyes narrowed.

A magnificent fortress lay sprawled between the mountains, its walls undulating like a submerged dragon.

Changsun Xin also saw it: “So the pass isn’t far.”

But Shen Rong thought: No wonder Donglai was captured by Shan Zong that day.

At this thought, she even gave the dragon-like fortress a disdainful glance.

On top of the fortress, a group of people had just arrived on patrol.

Hu Shiyi shaded his eyes with his hand and exclaimed: “How is it that golden beauty again!” He turned his head and said to someone beside him, “Boss, do you see?”

Shan Zong raised his eyelids slightly.

“Right there!” Hu Shiyi, afraid he couldn’t see, leaned over to point out the direction.

That group of people was beneath these mountains. The young woman in the middle wore an aqua cloak that fluttered in the wind.

Hu Shiyi muttered: “Boss, what’s going on with us these days? We keep running into that golden beauty! What are they doing here, venturing into these mountains? Do they think our ban is a joke?”

Shan Zong held his saber in the crook of his arm, leaning against the city wall and looking down. Sure enough, he immediately spotted Changsun Shen Rong.

She was truly striking. Her slender figure and snow-white profile shimmered under the sunlight, making her impossible to miss.

Then he saw Shen Rong tilt her head toward the corner tower of the fortress.

With his excellent vision, he noticed her expression seemed to convey a cold, dismissive glare.

What was this? Had the fortress offended her?

He chuckled and straightened up, tapping the scabbard on the city wall: “Never mind what they’re doing, just drive them away.”

Hu Shiyi felt a jolt in his heart upon hearing this. Was he supposed to go and drive them away?

Forget it; he couldn’t possibly contend with that golden beauty.

Shan Zong had already turned and was walking down from the city wall. His eyes scanned beyond the pass and then flicked back to Changsun Shen Rong, noticing she was looking up at the mountains.

He never knew his ex-wife was someone who admired the frontier mountains.

Just as he descended from the city wall, a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air from afar, abruptly stabbing into their ears.

Shan Zong halted his steps, and in the next instant, he moved like a shadow: “Quickly!”

A group of people followed him, leaping onto their horses and galloping out.

This was a scout’s warning signal, only sounded when there was enemy activity.

Standing by the stream, Shen Rong also heard the sound. She turned her head and looked around but was drawn to the shape of the opposite mountain.

After glancing twice, she spoke: “Earthen Mountain.”

In the Changsun family’s understanding, each mountain had attributes corresponding to the five elements.

The mountain opposite them had a flat peak and a square body, which corresponded to the earth element.

However, its long, sprawling ranges hinted at subtle changes.

It was these changes—generating, overcoming, restraining, and transforming—that formed the geography of this place.

Thus, to find minerals, one first had to understand the geography, which was the essence of exploring the land.

Changsun Xin nodded beside her: “I’ve also figured that out, but is there anything else?”

Shen Rong said: “Go closer and investigate, then we’ll know.”

As she spoke, she had already taken a step forward when suddenly, a streak of cold light flew towards her, skewering the ground in front of her in the stream, quivering violently.

She froze, realizing it was a slender straight sword. Stunned, she turned her head as a group of horsemen charged forward.

The man in black clothes leading them galloped directly towards her, leaned down, and swiftly pulled out the sword: “Step back!”

His voice lingered as he rushed past. Shen Rong only caught a fleeting glimpse of his swift glance—his eyes were like a deep abyss, sharp as a throat-slitting blade. As he turned his head, his horse’s hooves splashed water high into the air.

She barely had time to close her eyes, thoroughly drenched from head to toe.

“Master!”

“Arong!”

Donglai and Changsun Xin almost simultaneously ran over to shield her, pushing her back several steps so that the others following behind wouldn’t offend her either.

Behind them, Hu Shiyi shouted: “Did you hear that? Hurry up and leave!”

Shen Rong’s cloak was soaked, her hair disheveled and sticking to her forehead. The autumn wind blew, and she trembled slightly from the cold, biting her lip as she stared fiercely at the direction the man had disappeared.

He actually threw a sword at her?

Zirui was stunned. Realizing this, she quickly called for someone to start a fire.

Changsun Xin swiftly removed his own cloak and replaced Shen Rong’s wet one, while Donglai shielded her from the wind.

Soon, Shen Rong was helped to sit on a large rock covered with felt to warm herself by the fire. Around her, guards erected several branches they had cut, pulling up curtains of cloth to provide shelter.

Facing the fire, she slowly warmed up, feeling her chest. Fortunately, the brocade bag holding the scroll was specially made—it wasn’t exactly impervious to weapons, but it could at least withstand some water and fire.

Outside, Changsun Xin paced and muttered lowly: “That Shan fellow, he’s disgracing his noble heritage. He’s arrogant and behaves like a thug! A... what’s that term again?”

Donglai quietly reminded him: “Local tyrant.”

“Yes! Local tyrant!”

Shen Rong knew he was venting on her behalf. She squinted at the flickering flames, rubbing her cold fingers, thinking that he was never an ordinary nobleman. Outsiders had no idea what he was really like.

After a long while, the sharp whistle didn’t sound again, but footsteps approached.

Then came the sound of Changsun Xin exchanging greetings with the newcomer.

He habitually maintained the elegant demeanor expected of a prominent family in public and didn’t want his sister’s earlier disarray to be known. The cursing of Shan Zong was already hidden.

Shen Rong recognized the arrival of the governor of Youzhou.

The governor of Youzhou, just in his middle age, had a white face and short beard, dressed in official robes, appearing as a gentle scholar. His name was Zhao Jinlian.

Having received Changsun Xin’s invitation, he came with two attendants, knowing it was related to the ban.

In fact, Youzhou held a special status—it was an upper-level state within the country. In terms of rank, he was one level higher than Changsun Xin. However, being from a humble background and having risen through the imperial examinations, he had no influential connections and thus was very courteous towards Changsun Xin.

Zhao Jinlian had already noticed the curtain, behind which a graceful silhouette was faintly visible. Without paying much attention, he assumed it was a female relative avoiding exposure.

He addressed Changsun Xin: “I am aware of the ban. Both of you have long resided in Chang’an, so perhaps you’re unaware that Youzhou has always needed to guard against the Xi and Khitan tribes beyond the pass. Shan Zong’s issuance of this ban is unavoidable, given that he bears military responsibilities.”

Shen Rong recalled the “goods” Shan Zong had taken from the bearded man—those were the Xi and Khitan people.

She understood that this governor was speaking in Shan Zong’s defense.

It seemed that Shan Zong had good relations among Youzhou officials.

Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats came.

Outside the curtain, Zhao Jinlian said: “Commander Shan has arrived.”

Shen Rong pinched the curtain and lifted a corner, peeking outside. The man who had previously acted aggressively towards her had returned.

Half of his men were missing, and Shan Zong reined in his horse on the opposite side of the stream.

Zhao Jinlian called out to him: “Chong Jun, come meet Minister Changsun.”

But Shan Zong didn’t move: “To avoid offending everyone, I won’t come over.”

He tilted his head towards Hu Shiyi, dismounted in one leap, crouched by the stream, stuck his straight sword beside him, and scooped water to wash his hands.

Sitting on this side of the stream, Shen Rong noticed red streaks floating down the current from his hands.

Chong Jun was his courtesy name—a name she hadn’t heard in a long time.

Outside the curtain, Hu Shiyi approached and reported: “Governor Zhao, you arrived just in time. We just caught a few more and have sent them to the dungeon.”

Zhao Jinlian said: “Commander Shan has worked hard.”

Shen Rong realized that Shan Zong was washing off bloodstains.

Returning so quickly covered in blood—how swift his actions must have been? She couldn’t help but wonder.

She watched as he finished washing his hands, then washed his sword, sheathed it, and casually sat back, stretching out one long leg.

Zhao Jinlian seemed accustomed to his demeanor and didn’t call him over again. Instead, he turned and asked: “Minister Changsun, what do you think?”

Changsun Xin asked: “Is it difficult for you to capture such bandits?”

Hu Shiyi replied: “What difficulty? Our military compound isn’t made of weaklings.”

Changsun Xin had been waiting for this response: “If that’s the case, what’s there to worry about? Governor Zhao, don’t forget—we come bearing the emperor’s decree.”

Zhao Jinlian immediately agreed: “Of course, I wouldn’t dare forget. When I asked what you think, I meant to present my suggestion. In my opinion, if everyone must enter the mountains and Commander Shan must seal the mountain, why not let everyone enter the mountains under the military compound’s protection, especially since Minister Changsun is accompanied by female relatives?”

Changsun Xin fell silent.

Hu Shiyi seemed reluctant and muttered something under his breath.

The wind blew the curtain, and a clear, melodious female voice suddenly emerged from behind: “May I ask who among the military compound has the best skills?”

Zhao Jinlian, upon hearing this, smiled: “Naturally, it’s Commander Shan himself.”

“Is that so...” Shen Rong said: “Then why not have Commander Shan personally escort us?”

Changsun Xin softly exclaimed: “Arong?”

Hu Shiyi also blurted out: “Ah?”

On the other side of the stream, Shan Zong had heard everything clearly. He stood up, supporting himself on his sword, and looked across.

The curtain slightly lifted, revealing the woman’s eyes gazing at him, then quickly closed again.

She did it on purpose.